KR20100048718A - System and method for contents billing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system and a method for billing contents are provided to include connection information of a charging server in contents itself, thereby enabling a manufacturer to charge contents without respect to a distribution type of contents. CONSTITUTION: If content play is requested, a user terminal(100) operates a charging agent mounted in corresponding contents to display a login information input screen. If a playable message is received, the user terminal plays corresponding contents. A charging server(300) deducts content play costs from remaining costs for charging money. The charging server transmits a playable message.

Description

System and Method for contents billing}

The present invention relates to a content charging system and method, and more particularly, when a content playback is requested from a user terminal, a charging agent mounted on the corresponding content is driven to output a login information input screen for charging and input the login information. When the login information input through the screen is transmitted to the billing server, the billing server determines whether the user is an authenticated user by using the login information, and if the user is an authenticated user, the balance of the user's charge amount is higher than the content use price. The present invention relates to a content billing system and method for determining whether the content is equal to or greater than that, and subtracting the content playback cost from the balance, and then transmitting a playable message to the user terminal to play the corresponding content.

In general, digital content is distributed and used by digital content distribution systems such as music, images, movies, VOD data, and online games. As terminal technology advances, not only computers (PCs) and laptops but also mobile communication terminals or portable Internet devices are available. (WiBro) terminals, MP3 players (MP3P), portable music players (PMP), and video players (PSP) are used to distribute digital content.

The content charging authentication method of the conventional mobile communication terminal is as follows.

When the user selects a menu to use the content providing service, the mobile terminal accesses the corresponding content providing server and checks the content list. Then, the user selects content corresponding to his or her taste and requests a download.

Then, the content providing server requests the user for a fee set for the content, and approves the content download when the user pays (pays) the fee and transmits the content to the user's mobile terminal.

However, since the above-mentioned content is a medium having a very easy copying and distribution and difficult to collect normal copyright fees unlike a general audio CD, the above-described prior art has a corresponding fee every time a user downloads a content. The content is downloaded to the user only when the payment is made after requesting the payment.

On the other hand, in the prior art as described above, the fee for the content is determined in consideration of the damage amount such as illegal copying of the content, and accordingly, the user has to pay a large cost for the content in order to play the content through the mobile communication terminal. to be.

Particularly, in the conventional technology as described above, if the user plays the content once or twice while paying a lot for the content, the content may not be deleted or replayed if it does not meet his or her taste. In this case, there is a problem that the user does not enjoy the symbol as much as the cost already paid and wastes the cost thereof.

Therefore, due to the problems of the prior art as described above, users are more likely to prefer to enjoy content without paying legitimate costs by illegally downloading the content to a computer, a mobile terminal, etc., rather than downloading the content through a normal path. will be.

On the other hand, copyright holders of multimedia such as music and movies (eg, record production associations, sound production associations, video production associations, singers, producers, etc.) do not collect legitimate copyright fees due to illegal distribution of music files and movie files. I can't do it.

Therefore, unless the content is permanently owned, that is, played once or twice and deleted or no longer played, the user can pay for the number of times of playing so that the user can enjoy various contents at low cost through the mobile communication terminal. In addition, there is an urgent need for a technology that allows copyright holders of music and movies to transparently collect a fee for the number of times a user watches and to properly generate copyright revenue through wired and wireless Internet.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, the object of the present invention is to mount the agent for the charge on the content to be charged at the time of the actual playback so that the revenue to the original author regardless of the distribution form of the content To provide a content charging system and method that can be distributed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a content billing system and method that does not include billing information in the content itself and includes only a content ID and stores actual billing information on a billing server, thereby making it difficult to harm the content.

According to an aspect of the present invention in order to achieve the above object, when the content playback is requested to drive the charging agent mounted on the content to output a login information input screen for charging, and is input through the login information input screen Receiving the content playback request message including the login information and the content identification information to the billing server to receive the playable message when the user terminal to play the content, the content confirmation request message received from the user terminal received If the user is authenticated using the login information included in the message, and if the user is an authenticated user, it is determined whether the balance of the user's recharge amount is more than the content use price. After subtracting the content playback cost, the user end The content billing system comprising a billing server is provided for transmitting a message to be played.

The content charging system further includes a content providing server that generates and stores a content having a charging agent including a charging server URL and content identification information in each content, and provides the corresponding content when the content is requested from the user terminal. do.

When the user terminal receives the login information including the user ID and the password, the user terminal accesses the charging server corresponding to the charging server URL included in the charging agent, and transmits a content confirmation request message.

When the balance of the user is equal to or greater than the content usage price, the charging server subtracts the content usage price from the balance, and then transmits a playable message to the user terminal.

If the user's balance is more than the content usage price, the billing server divides the current balance by the content usage price to obtain the number of playback allowances, subtracts the cost of one playback from the current balance, and includes the number of playback allowances. The playable message is transmitted to the user terminal, and if the play information is received two or more times for the corresponding content from the user terminal, the cost according to the number of playbacks is subtracted.

When the user's balance is more than the content usage price, the billing server divides the current balance by the content usage price to obtain the number of playback allowances, subtracts the cost according to the number of playback allowances from the current balance, and then includes the number of playback allowances. The playable message is transmitted to the user terminal.

The charging server distributes the revenue with the content producer when the charging for the content is made.

According to another aspect of the invention, the communication unit for communicating with the user terminal, a database in which the content is stored, the charging agent including the charging server URL and the content identification information in each content collected or uploaded from an external server to the database A content providing server including a content extracting unit for storing the content generating unit and a content extracting unit for extracting the corresponding content from the database and providing the content to the user terminal through the communication unit when the content is requested from the user terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a user terminal provided with a key input unit and an output unit, a storage unit storing the content loaded with the billing agent displayed on the billing server URL and the content identification information, playback of the selected content through the key input unit When the request is made, the charging agent mounted on the corresponding content is driven to output a login information input screen for charging, accessing the charging server URL included in the charging agent, and logging in input through the login information input screen. And a charging agent driving module configured to transmit a content play request confirmation message including content identification information, and a content play unit configured to play corresponding content when a playable message is received from the charging server.

The billing agent driving module, when a reproduction of content is requested, drives a billing agent mounted on the corresponding content to output a login information input screen for billing, and receives a login information through the login information input screen. A driving server accessing the charging server URL included in the charging agent, the charging server access unit transmitting a request message for checking whether the contents including the login information and the content identification information can be played; And counting the content to determine whether the number of the reproduction allowances is exceeded, and outputting a non-playback message when the determination result is exceeded.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a communication unit for communicating with a user terminal, a database in which user information and content detailed information are stored, and user information input from the user terminal and the amount of money paid for use of the content are mapped and stored in the database. When the user information registration unit, a request message confirming whether the content can be played back from the user terminal is received, the authentication unit for determining whether the user is authenticated by using the login information included in the message in the database, the determination of the authentication unit As a result, if the user is an authenticated user, the database is searched to determine whether the balance of the user's recharge amount is greater than or equal to the content use price. If the result is greater than the result, the balance is deducted from the balance. Playable messages The charging server comprising a processing unit for sending the billing content is provided.

The billing server includes a revenue settlement unit that searches for the database, extracts the corresponding content producer information, and calculates the revenue with the producer based on the extracted producer information when the charge for the use of the content is made.

The database includes a user information database in which a user ID, a password, a charge amount, and a balance are mapped for each user, content identification information for each content, account information for depositing producer personal information and distribution proceeds, and a use price of the content. This includes the mapped and stored content details database.

The content reproduction cost includes a cost according to one time of playing the corresponding content or a cost based on the number of times / time for allowing reproduction.

According to another aspect of the present invention, (a) when the content playback is requested from the user terminal, by running the charging agent mounted on the content to output a login information input screen, the login information through the login information input screen Accessing to a charging server URL included in the charging agent if input, (b) transmitting, by the user terminal, a request message for confirming whether a content can be played including the login information and corresponding content identification information to the charging server; (c) when the billing server receives a request message for checking whether the content can be played, determining whether the user is an authenticated user by using login information included in the message, and (d) verifying the determination result of step (c). If the user is a user, the billing server checks the content usage price based on the content identification information, the user's charges Determining whether the balance is equal to or greater than the content use price by checking the balance of the amount; (e) if the balance is greater than or equal to the content use price, as a result of the determination in step (d), after subtracting the content reproduction cost from the balance, A content charging method is provided, comprising: transmitting a playable message to the user terminal; and (f) playing the corresponding content when the playable message is received by the user terminal.

In the step (d), if the user is not an authenticated user as a result of the determination of the step (c), the content charging method further comprises the step of transmitting a content reproduction impossible message according to the non-subscription to the user terminal.

In the step (e), if the balance is not more than the content usage price as a result of the determination in step (d), the content billing method further comprises the step of transmitting a content reproduction impossible message due to insufficient balance to the user terminal do.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in a method of playing content by a user terminal, (a) when the content playback is requested, driving a charging agent mounted on the content to output a login information input screen; b) when login information is input through the login information input screen, accessing to a charging server URL included in the charging agent, and transmitting a request message for checking whether the contents including the login information and corresponding content identification information can be played; c) When a playable message is received from the billing server, a playback method according to the billing of a content is provided.

A playback method according to content charging is provided, further comprising the step of counting the number of times of play / time while playing the corresponding content, and outputting a non-playback message when the number of times of play / time exceeds the number of times allowed for play.

When charging is performed for the corresponding content once, when the play count / time is counted while the corresponding content is played, requesting the processing of charging for the excess playing once for the corresponding content is performed. There is provided a playback method according to the content charging further comprising.

In step (a), when the content is requested to play, the step of determining whether or not it is the first playback by driving the charging agent mounted on the corresponding content. If not, the method may include determining whether the play is possible by checking the play allowance number / time, and outputting a login information input screen when the play is not possible.

If playback is possible as a result of checking the play allowable number / time, counting the play count / time while playing the corresponding content, and outputting a non-playback message if the play count / time exceeds the play allowable number / time. Include.

According to another aspect of the invention, the billing server in the method of processing the billing for the use of the content, (a) when receiving the content playback availability check request message from the user terminal, the login information included in the message Determining whether the user is an authenticated user, (b) If the user is an authenticated user as a result of the determination of the step (a), the content use price is checked by the content identification information, and the balance of the user's charge amount is checked. Determining whether the balance is equal to or greater than the content usage price; and (c) if the remaining balance is equal to or greater than the content usage price, after deducting the content reproduction cost from the balance, the balance can be played on the user terminal. A content charging method is provided that includes sending a message.

In the step (c), if the balance of the user is equal to or greater than the content use price, the current balance is divided by the content use price to obtain the number of times to allow playback, and after subtracting the cost of one playback from the current balance, the play is performed. Transmitting a playable message including an allowable number / time to a user terminal; when receiving a charge processing request for playing the content more than once from the user terminal, processing the charge according to the number of times / time Steps.

In the step (c), if the balance of the user is equal to or greater than the content use price, dividing the current balance by the content use price to obtain the number of times to allow playback, and subtracting the cost according to the number of times of allowable playback / time from the current balance. And transmitting a playable message including the play allowance number / time to a user terminal.

Prior to the step (a), the content charging method is further provided, further comprising the step of receiving the user information from the user terminal and mapping and storing the amount paid for the use of the content.

When charging for the use of the content is made, a content charging method is provided, further comprising: searching a pre-installed database to extract corresponding content producer information, and calculating revenue with the producer based on the extracted producer information. .

As described above, according to the present invention, the content itself includes access information of the billing server, so that the creator can charge each time the content is played without minding how the content is distributed, and the charge is immediately deposited into the author's account. Inspiration is possible.

In addition, the content itself does not include billing information, only the content ID, and the actual billing information is stored on the server, so there is an advantage that it is difficult to hack the content.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a view showing a content charging system according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the content charging system includes a user terminal 100, a content providing server 200, and a charging server 300 on which content is played.

When the user terminal 100 is requested to play the content, the user terminal 100 drives a charging agent mounted on the corresponding content to output a login information input screen for charging, and the login information and the content identification information input through the login information input screen are displayed. When the playable message is received by transmitting a request message for checking whether the included content can be played, the corresponding content is played.

That is, when the user terminal 100 receives the login information including the user ID and the password, the user terminal 100 accesses the billing server corresponding to the billing server URL included in the billing agent and transmits a request message for checking whether the content can be played.

The user who wants to use the content accesses the billing server 300 in advance before using the content, opens an account, sets an ID and password, and charges (deposits) a predetermined amount in his account. In this process, it may be linked with a separate financial institution payment server (not shown), may be linked with an electronic money server (not shown), or may be linked with a payment server (not shown) provided by a mobile communication service provider. . Furthermore, a predetermined amount may be deposited in an escrow service server that provides a more reliable escrow service to the user's cost deposit so as to interwork with the billing server of the present invention.

The billing server 300 determines whether the user is an authenticated user by using the login information included in the message when a request message for confirming whether the content can be played back is received from the user terminal 100. It is determined whether the balance of the user's recharge amount is equal to or higher than the content use price. If the balance is more than that, the content reproduction cost is subtracted from the balance, and then a playable message is transmitted to the user terminal 100.

That is, when the balance of the user is equal to or greater than the content use price, the charging server 300 transmits a playable message to the user terminal 100 after subtracting the content use price from the balance.

In addition, when the balance of the user is more than the content usage price, the billing server 300 obtains the number of times of reproduction allowed by dividing the current balance by the content usage price, subtracts the cost of one playback from the current balance, and then plays the content. The playable message including the allowed number of times is transmitted to the user terminal 100, and when the play information is received two or more times for the corresponding content from the user terminal 100, the cost according to the number of times of reproduction is subtracted.

In addition, when the balance of the user is more than the content use price, the billing server 300 obtains the number of times of the reproduction allowance by dividing the current balance by the content use price, subtracts the cost according to the number of the reproduction allowances from the current balance, and then plays the content. The playable message including the allowed number of times is transmitted to the user terminal 100.

In addition, the charging server 300 distributes the revenue with the content producer when the charge is made for the use of the content.

The content providing server 200 generates and stores contents loaded with a charging agent including a charging server URL and content identification information in each of the contents, and provides the corresponding contents when the contents are requested from the user terminal 100. .

The user terminal 100 may freely download content from the content providing server 200 and distribute the content to other users. However, the content is configured to be played only after the user accesses the billing server 300 through the access address included in the content itself to perform the billing.

2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a content providing server according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the content providing server 200 includes a communication unit 210 for communicating with a user terminal, a database 230 in which content is stored, a content generation unit 220, and a content extraction unit 240.

The content generation unit 220 mounts a charging agent including a charging server URL and content identification information in each content collected or uploaded from an external server and stores the charging agent in the database 230.

When content is requested from the user terminal, the content extraction unit 240 extracts the corresponding content from the database and provides the content to the user terminal through the communication unit 210.

3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a user terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, the user terminal 100 includes a communication unit 110, a key input unit 120, a storage unit 130, an output unit 140, and a charging agent driving module for communicating with a content providing server or a charging server. 150, the content playback unit 160.

 The storage unit 130 stores contents loaded with a billing agent displaying a billing server URL and content identification information.

When the billing agent driving module 150 is requested to play the selected content through the key input unit 120, the billing agent driving module 150 outputs a login information input screen for billing by driving the billing agent mounted on the corresponding content, and the billing agent Access to the billing server URL included in the, and transmits a request message for checking whether the content can be played, including the login information and the content identification information input through the login information input screen.

When the playback of the content is requested, the charging agent driving module 150 outputs a login information input screen for charging by driving a charging agent mounted on the corresponding content, and inputs login information through the login information input screen. The billing server driver 152 that receives the billing agent driver 152 and accesses the billing server URL included in the billing agent, and transmits a request message for confirming whether the content including the login information and the content identification information can be played; The playback unit 160 includes a content playback control unit 156 that counts the number of content playbacks to be played back to determine whether the playback allowance is exceeded, and outputs a non-playback message when the determination result is exceeded.

The content reproducing unit 160 reproduces the corresponding content when a playable message is received from the charging server.

4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a charging server according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the charging server 300 may include a communication unit 310 for communicating with a user terminal, a database 320 in which user information and content detailed information are stored, a user information registration unit 330, an authentication unit 340, The content charging processor 350 and the revenue settlement unit 360 are included.

The database 320 stores a user information database 322 in which a user ID, a password, a charge amount, and a balance are mapped to each user, and contents identification information, producer personal information, and account information for depositing distribution revenue for each content. The content price information of the content is mapped and includes a stored content detail information database 324.

The user information registration unit 330 maps the user information input from the user terminal and the amount of money paid for the use of the content and stores the amount in the database 322. Here, the user information refers to a user ID, a password, and the like.

That is, a user who wants to use the content, accesses the billing server in advance before using the content, opens an account, sets an ID and password, and charges (deposits) a predetermined amount of money in his account. Then, the user information registration unit 330 stores the user ID, password, and charge amount input by the user terminal in the database 322.

 When the authentication unit 340 receives a request message from the user terminal to check whether the content can be played, the authentication unit 340 determines whether the user is an authenticated user using whether the login information included in the message exists in the database 322.

That is, the content playability check request message includes login information and content identification information, and the authentication unit 340 determines whether the login information exists in the user information database.

If the determination result exists, the authentication unit 340 determines that the user is an authenticated user. If not, the authentication unit 340 notifies the user terminal that there is no user information, and the charging agent of the content displays the result on the user terminal. In order for the user to use the content, the user needs to access a predetermined billing server to complete the payment.

When the content charging processor 350 determines that the authenticated user 340 is the authenticated user, the content charging processor 350 searches the database 322 to determine whether the balance of the user's charge amount is greater than or equal to the content use price. If the result is more than that, after deducting the content reproduction cost from the remaining balance, a playable message is transmitted to the user terminal.

That is, when the content charging processor 350 is an authenticated user as a result of the determination by the authentication unit 340, the content charging processing unit 350 searches the content detailed information database 324 to check the usage price of the corresponding content. Then, the content charging processor 350 checks the balance of the user account, subtracts the play price, and transmits a playable message to the user terminal.

If the content billing processing unit 350 is capable of reproducing the user with sufficient balance, the method of subtracting the balance may be variously configured in addition to subtracting one playback cost.

For example, if the balance of the user is equal to or greater than the content usage price, the current balance is divided by the content usage price to obtain the number of times to allow playback, and after subtracting the cost of one playback from the current balance, The playable message including the time is transmitted to the user terminal. Then, the charging agent of the user terminal counts the number of times of play / time and if the number exceeds the number of times of play allowed / time, informs the user that payment is required by the notification message.

In addition, when the user's balance is more than the content usage price, the content charging processor 350 obtains the playback allowance number / time by dividing the current balance by the content usage price and subtracts the cost according to the playback allowance number / time from the current balance. After that, the playable message including the play allowance number / time may be transmitted to the user terminal.

When the charge for the content use is made, the revenue settlement unit 360 searches the database 324 to extract the corresponding content producer information, and calculates the revenue with the producer based on the extracted producer information.

That is, when the payment for the use of the content is made, the revenue settlement unit 360 immediately or periodically settles a predetermined amount according to the revenue distribution rule with the content producer and transfers the profit to the creator's account to distribute the profit. In other words, the revenue settlement unit 360 extracts the corresponding producer personal information and account information from the content detail information database 324, and calculates a predetermined amount according to the revenue distribution rule with the extracted producer. The revenue is distributed by transferring to.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of registering user information in a charging server according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the user terminal accesses the billing server (S500), and if the user wants to register (S502), registers the user information through the user information input screen (S504).

That is, when a user terminal wishing to join the billing server accesses the billing server and selects a sign up command, the billing server displays a user information input screen for signing up. The user inputs user information such as a user ID and a password through the displayed user information input screen. Then, the input user information is transmitted to the billing server and registered as a member in the billing server.

After the execution of the step S504, if the user charges the amount for using the content (S506), the billing server maps and stores the registered user information and the charge amount (S508).

As described above, a user who wants to use the content accesses the billing server in advance before using the content, opens an account, sets an ID and password, and charges (deposits) a predetermined amount in his account.

6 is a view showing a content charging method according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, when a content reproduction command is input by a user (S600), the user terminal displays a login information input screen by driving a charging agent mounted on the corresponding content (S602). Then, the user inputs login information including a user ID and a password on the login information input screen.

When the login information is input through the login information input screen (S604), the user terminal accesses the charging server URL included in the charging agent (S606).

Then, the user terminal transmits a request message to confirm whether the content can be played, including the login information and the content identification information to be played (S608).

The billing server determines whether the user is an authenticated user by using the login information included in the content playability check request message (S610). That is, the charging server determines whether the user is an authenticated user by using whether the login information exists in an existing database.

If it is determined that the user is an authenticated user, the billing server checks the content usage price based on content identification information (S612), and checks the balance of the user's charge amount (S614). It is determined whether or not it is abnormal (S616).

If the balance is greater than or equal to the content usage price as a result of the determination in S616, the charging server subtracts the content playback cost from the balance (S618) and transmits a playable message to the user terminal (S620).

Then, the user terminal plays the corresponding content (S622).

If it is determined in S616 that the balance is not equal to or more than the content usage price, the billing server transmits a content reproduction impossible message due to insufficient balance to the user terminal (S624).

If, as a result of the determination in S610, if the user is not an authenticated user, the charging server transmits a content reproduction impossible message according to the non-subscription of the member to the user terminal (S626).

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of playing content by a user terminal according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7, when a content playback command is input by the user (S700), the user terminal determines whether the content playback command is the first playback command for the corresponding content (S702). Since the charging agent mounted on each content counts and stores the number of times of playing of the content, it is possible to determine whether the content playing command is the minimum playing command.

If it is the first playback command as a result of the determination in S702, the user terminal displays a login information input screen by driving the charging agent mounted on the corresponding content (S704).

Then, when the login information is input through the login information input screen (S706), the user terminal accesses to the charging server URL included in the charging agent and checks whether the contents including the login information and the corresponding content identification information can be played. The message is transmitted (S708).

Then, the billing server determines whether the user is an authenticated user by using the login information included in the message, and if the user is an authenticated user, determines whether the balance of the user's charge amount is greater than or equal to the content use price. After subtracting the content playback cost from the balance, a playable message is transmitted to the user terminal.

After the execution of the step S708, the user terminal receives a playable message from the billing server (S710), while counting the number of times of playback while playing the corresponding content (S712).

Then, the user terminal displays a non-playback message when the counted play count / time exceeds the play allowance count / time (S714).

By outputting the non-playback message, the user knows that an additional payment is required to play the corresponding content.

If, as a result of the determination in S702, the first reproduction command, the user terminal drives the charging agent to check the number / time of reproduction allowance (S718), and determines whether the reproduction is possible (S720).

As a result of the determination of S720, when the reproduction is possible, the user terminal performs the S712, and when the reproduction is not possible, the S704 is performed.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing a billing for content use by a billing server according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 8, when the billing server receives a request message for confirming whether a content can be played with login information is received from the user terminal (S800), the charging server determines whether the user is an authenticated user using the login information included in the message (S802). ).

If it is determined that the user is an authenticated user, the billing server checks the content usage price based on content identification information (S804), and checks the balance of the user's charge amount (S806). It is determined whether or not it is abnormal (S808).

If it is determined in S808 that the balance is equal to or greater than the content usage price, the billing server divides the current balance by the content usage price and calculates the number of times to allow playback / time (S810).

Then, the charging server subtracts the content playing cost from the current balance, and transmits a playable message including the number of playing allowances / time to the user terminal (S812). Here, the content reproduction cost refers to the cost of playing the content once, the cost according to the number of times / time of reproduction allowance, and the like.

If the billing server receives a billing processing request based on the number of times of reproduction allowance / time over the corresponding content from the user terminal (S814), the billing server performs the billing process according to the number of times of play / time (S816).

The billing server then distributes the revenue with the producer based on the content creator information (S818).

If the balance is not equal to or more than the content usage price, the charging server transmits a non-playback message due to insufficient balance to the user terminal (S820).

If, as a result of the determination in S802, the user is not an authenticated user, the charging server transmits a non-playback message according to the non-subscription of the member to the user terminal (S822).

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or essential features thereof. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be understood as illustrative in all respects and not as restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the following claims rather than the detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalents should be construed as being included in the scope of the present invention. do.

As described above, the content charging system and method according to the present invention may include the connection information of the charging server in the content itself, and may be used in a technology that enables the producer to charge each time the content is played without worrying how the content is distributed. .

1 is a view showing a content charging system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a content providing server according to the present invention.

3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a user terminal according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a charging server according to the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for registering user information in a billing server according to the present invention.

6 is a view showing a content charging method according to the present invention.

7 is a flowchart illustrating a method of playing content by a user terminal according to the present invention.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for processing a billing for content use by a billing server according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings>

100: user terminal 110, 210, 310: communication unit

120: key input unit 130: storage unit

140: output unit 150: charging agent drive module

160: content playback unit 200: content providing server

220: content generation unit 230: content database

240: content extraction unit 300: billing server

320: Database 330: User Information Register

340: authentication unit 350: content charging processing unit

360: Revenue Settlement

Claims (27)

When the content is requested to play, a login agent for charging is output by driving a charging agent mounted on the corresponding content, and checking whether the content including the login information and the content identification information input through the login information input screen can be played. A user terminal that transmits the request message to the billing server and plays the corresponding content when a playable message is received; and When a request message for confirming whether the content can be played back is received from the user terminal, it is determined whether the user is an authenticated user by using the login information included in the message, and in the case of the authenticated user, the balance of the user's charge amount is used for the content. A charging server for determining whether the price is equal to or greater than the price, subtracting the content playing cost from the remaining balance, and transmitting a playable message to the user terminal; Content billing system comprising a. The method of claim 1,  And a content providing server that generates and stores contents loaded with a charging agent including a charging server URL and content identification information in each of the contents, and provides the corresponding contents when the contents are requested from the user terminal. The method of claim 1, When receiving the login information including the user ID and password, the user terminal accesses the billing server corresponding to the billing server URL included in the billing agent and transmits a content request message for checking whether the content can be played. system. The method of claim 1, The billing server, if the balance of the user is equal to or more than the content usage price, after subtracting the content usage price from the balance, and then transmits a playable message to the user terminal. The method of claim 1, If the user's balance is more than the content usage price, the billing server divides the current balance by the content usage price to obtain the number of playback allowances, subtracts the cost of one playback from the current balance, and includes the number of playback allowances. And transmitting a playable message to the user terminal, and subtracting a cost according to the number of times of reproduction when two or more pieces of reproduction information are received for the corresponding content from the user terminal. The method of claim 1, If the user's balance is more than the content usage price, the billing server divides the current balance by the content usage price to obtain the number of playback allowances, subtracts the cost according to the number of playback allowances from the current balance, and then includes the number of playback allowances. The content charging system, characterized in that for transmitting the playable message to the user terminal. The method of claim 1, The charging server is a content charging system, characterized in that for distributing revenue with the content producer when the charge is made for the use of the content. A communication unit for communicating with a user terminal; A database in which content is stored; A content generator configured to mount a charging agent including a charging server URL and content identification information in each content collected or uploaded from an external server, and store the charging agent in the database; A content extraction unit for extracting the corresponding content from the database and providing the content to the user terminal through the communication unit when a content is requested from the user terminal; Content providing server comprising a. In a user terminal provided with a key input unit and an output unit, A storage unit for storing contents on which a charging agent on which a charging server URL and contents identification information are displayed is stored; When the playback of the selected content is requested through the key input unit, a charging agent mounted on the corresponding content is driven to output a login information input screen for charging, and accessing the charging server URL included in the charging agent to access the login. A charging agent driving module for transmitting a request message for checking whether a content can be played back including login information and content identification information input through an information input screen; and A content reproducing unit reproducing the corresponding content when a playable message is received from the charging server; User terminal comprising a. 10. The method of claim 9, The charging agent driving module, A charging agent driving unit which drives a charging agent mounted on the corresponding content to output a login information input screen for charging, and inputs login information through the login information input screen when the content is requested to be played; A billing server access unit which accesses to a billing server URL included in the billing agent and transmits a request message for checking whether a content can be played back including the login information and content identification information; and And a content playback control unit for counting the number of content playbacks played by the content playback unit to determine whether the number of playback allowed is exceeded, and outputting a non-playback message when the determination result is exceeded. A communication unit for communicating with a user terminal; A database storing user information and content detail information; A user information registration unit which maps the user information input from the user terminal and the amount paid for using the content and stores the same in the database; An authentication unit determining whether the user is an authenticated user by using whether login information included in the message exists in the database when a request message for confirming whether a content can be played back is received from the user terminal; and In the determination result of the authentication unit, if the user is an authenticated user, the database is searched to determine whether the balance of the user's recharge amount is greater than or equal to the content use price. A content charging processor for transmitting a playable message to the user terminal; Billing server comprising a. The method of claim 11, If the charge is made for the use of the content, the billing server further comprises a revenue settlement unit for searching the database to extract the content producer information, and to calculate the revenue with the producer based on the extracted producer information. The method of claim 11, The database, A user information database in which a user ID, password, charge amount, and balance are mapped and stored for each user; A billing server comprising a content detail information database, in which content identification information, producer personal information, account information for depositing distribution revenue, and usage price of content are mapped and stored for each content. The method of claim 11, The content playing cost includes a cost according to the one time playback of the content or the cost based on the number of times / time allowed to play. (a) When the content reproduction is requested from the user terminal, a charging agent mounted on the corresponding content is driven to output a login information input screen, and when the login information is input through the login information input screen, the charging included in the charging agent. Accessing a server URL; (b) transmitting, by the user terminal, a request for confirming whether a content can be played back including the login information and corresponding content identification information to the billing server; (c) if the billing server receives a request message for checking whether the content can be played, determining whether the user is an authenticated user by using login information included in the message; (d) If the determination result of step (c) is an authenticated user, the billing server checks the content usage price based on content identification information, checks the balance of the user's recharge amount, and the balance is the content usage price. Determining whether it is abnormal; (e) if the remaining balance is greater than or equal to the content usage price as a result of the determination in step (d), transmitting a playable message to the user terminal after subtracting the content playing cost from the remaining balance; and (f) playing the content by the user terminal when a playable message is received; Content charging method comprising a. The method of claim 15, In the step (d), if it is determined that the step (c) is not an authenticated user, the content charging method further comprises the step of transmitting a content reproduction impossible message according to the non-subscription to the user terminal. The method of claim 15, In the step (e), if the balance is not more than the content usage price as a result of the determination in step (d), further comprising the step of transmitting to the user terminal a message that can not play the content due to the remaining balance. In the method for the user terminal to play the content, (a) outputting a login information input screen by driving a charging agent mounted on the corresponding content when content reproduction is requested; (b) if login information is input through the login information input screen, accessing to a charging server URL included in the charging agent, and transmitting a request message for checking whether content can be played including the login information and corresponding content identification information; (c) playing the corresponding content when a playable message is received from the charging server; Playback method according to the content charging comprising a. The method of claim 18, Counting the number of times of play / time while playing the corresponding content, and outputting a non-playback message if the number of times / time of the play exceeds the number of times allowed / play of the content. The method of claim 18, When charging is performed for the corresponding content once, when the play count / time is counted while the corresponding content is played, requesting the processing of charging for the excess playing once for the corresponding content is performed. Playback method according to the content charging further comprising. The method of claim 18, In step (a), When the content is requested to play, determining whether the content is played for the first time by driving a charging agent mounted on the corresponding content; If the result of the determination is to display the login information input screen for the first time playback, and if not the first playback to determine whether the play is possible by checking the number of times / time to play, and if it is not possible to play the login information input screen to output Reproduction method according to the content charging comprising the step. The method of claim 21, If playback is possible as a result of checking the play allowable number / time, counting the play count / time while playing the corresponding content, and outputting a non-playback message if the play count / time exceeds the play allowable number / time. Playback method according to the content charging included. In the billing server to process the billing for the use of content, (a) determining whether the user is an authenticated user by using login information included in the message when a request message for checking whether the content can be played back is received from the user terminal; (b) In the case of the authenticated user in step (a), if the user is an authenticated user, the content use price is checked based on content identification information, and the balance of the user's charge amount is determined to determine whether the balance is equal to or more than the content use price. Step; and (c) if the balance is greater than or equal to the content usage price as a result of the determination in step (b), after subtracting the content playback cost from the balance, transmitting a playable message to the user terminal; Content charging method comprising a. 24. The method of claim 23, Step (c) is, If the user's balance is equal to or more than the content usage price, the current balance is divided by the content usage price to obtain the number of times to allow playback, and after subtracting the cost of one playback from the current balance, the number of times / time to allow the playback is included. Transmitting a playable message to a user terminal; And processing a charge based on the number of times of play / time when a charge processing request for the corresponding content is reproduced more than once for the corresponding content from the user terminal. 24. The method of claim 23, Step (c) is, If the balance of the user is equal to or greater than the content usage price, dividing the current balance by the content usage price to obtain the number of times to allow playback / time; And subtracting the cost according to the number of times / time allowed to play from the current balance, and transmitting a playable message including the number / time of the allowed time to the user terminal. 24. The method of claim 23, Before step (a) above, And receiving the user information from the user terminal and mapping the stored user information with the amount paid for the content use. 24. The method of claim 23, If the charge is made for the use of the content, the content charging method further comprises the step of extracting the content producer information by searching the provided database, and calculating the revenue with the producer based on the extracted producer information.

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